(a) whether the Government is considering to link 800 universities
and 26,000 colleges through a fibre optic network for a free
information highway in the country;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) the funds allocated and spent therefor so far; and
(d) the steps being taken by the Government in this regard?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
(DR. D. PURANDESWARI)
(a) & (b) Under the National Mission on Education through Information and
Communication Technology (ICT) it is envisaged to provide connectivity to
over 25000+ colleges and 2000 polytechnics in the country and to 419
universities/deemed universities and institutions of national importance.
Connectivity to the universities are provided on optical fibre and to the
colleges are provided on copper cable. Up to another 400 universities fall
under the ambit of National Knowledge Network (NKN) for connectivity. As
on 29.02.2012, 391 universities and more than 15396 colleges in the country
have been connected under NMEICT.
(c) & (d) An amount of Rs.1500 crore has been approved by the Government
during the 11th Five Year Plan for the connectivity. An amount of Rs. 872,
95,19,701/- has already been spent so far for providing connectivity to
University/ Colleges. By obtaining synergy between NMEICT and NKN, a lot
of cost reduction and bandwidth enhancement has taken place for the
universities.